...

*AJ*

I was very impressed by my minions last time I went to Stile cop.
It was damp and slippy, and I was riding balboa, which is very rooty. Wet roots suck, unless you have minions! They out performed any other tyre I've used, even the wet screams!

jay12

*AJ* wrote:

I was very impressed by my minions last time I went to Stile cop.
It was damp and slippy, and I was riding balboa, which is very rooty. Wet roots suck, unless you have minions! They out performed any other tyre I've used, even the wet screams!

depends on terrain really. minions clog up very easily. so for poo like mud, wet screams are generally better, it doesn't mean that minions are crap in poo like mud though they still grip like mad

yoohoo999

hmmm, it's a bit of a dilema really.

if I go tubeless, then I'm much more limited in tyre choice, I can't change to suit the conditions or experiment with new tyres until i find what suits the bike/my riding. Well, I could change, but it would be a total ball ache and pretty expensive having to buy the Stans kit every time.

However, if I just run normal tubes and tyres, I can swap around as I see fit. With the only drawback being about 1lb -1.5lb in additional weight and a higher frequency of pinch flats.

jay12

yoohoo999 wrote:

hmmm, it's a bit of a dilema really.

if I go tubeless, then I'm much more limited in tyre choice, I can't change to suit the conditions or experiment with new tyres until i find what suits the bike/my riding. Well, I could change, but it would be a total ball ache and pretty expensive having to buy the Stans kit every time.

However, if I just run normal tubes and tyres, I can swap around as I see fit. With the only drawback being about 1lb -1.5lb in additional weight and a higher frequency of pinch flats.

yeah, that is a point, tbh i would run tubes just so you can experiment.

i'v ridden my minion and high roller for nearly a year now and i'v not had a single puncture or pinch flat. i think the reason for this is because they are dual ply, and if you go for some 3c compound tyres(pretty much triple ply) there would be even less chance. before i had dual ply tyres i got punctures uite often

yoohoo999

Yeah, tubes it is. Can always go tubeless once I've settled on a good set up.

Weight isn't a massive issue anyway. It's a big freaking 9" DH bike, I'm not going to be thinking "god, I really wish i wasn't lugging around these inner tubes!"

Perhaps we could start guessing build weight?

I reckon it's going to be around 42-43lbs with Saint kit, Boxxer Teams and some meaty tyres/tubes. Then that leaves room for little tweaks here and there in the future (ti spring etc) to get it down to that magic number (just under 40lbs!)

jay12

that sounds about right tbh. the wheelset is pretty light for what it is

mrfmilo

I don't really get on with High rollers on the front, but I love Minions , - everyone seems to love that combo though so I will say go for it.. For most riders Wetscreams are overkill, starting to get dryer now anyway. Or Continental DerKaiser's are amazing too, bit steeply priced though.

yoohoo999

yeah, that was a tactical move. 32 hole, light(ish) rim, on bullet proof hubs. I've had quite a few sets of the EX500s and their predecessor (the 5.1d) and they suit my weight and style pretty well. Side walls aren't the strongest, but never really been a problem for me.

I've been through a couple of pure DH bombproof rims on my last DH bike, and to be honest, the simple fact is that I've never actually trashed a rim!

So I'm ditching the weight this time round. If I break them, who cares, I'll just buy some beefier rims and rebuild the wheels, not a huge cost involved given I've already got the Saint hubs (which are the costliest part of the wheel).

The 2011 Glory factory DH race bikes are using the exact same build, so it should stand up to a bit of stick

yoohoo999

OK, new parts ordered and received during the Bikeradar Blackout:

Saint Cranks (170mm)
Saint BB (83mm)
Saint Chainring (38t)

Hope headset (black)

Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5" ST 40a for the front, DHF 2.5" 60a for the rear.
Stans Notubes kit

My debit card is starting to melt :roll:

Still got to pick up some Boxxers or 40's and then I'm almost there...........

BG2000

Yoohoo, do you need a seatpost ?

Once my new adjustable post arrives (it's somewhere across the Atlantic as we speak) I won't have any need for my current Thomson Elite, and being mint condition, I may as well get some money for it.

It's a black 410mm version with layback, but the main interest for you is the 30.0mm size (I have a Cove too). They're very very rare in this size in the UK. Like I say, it's in mint condition, no marks anywhere, and only 6 months old still with original soft bag (that's not actually any use to man or beast !)

Anyhow, good luck with the build, it's looks damn nice !

yoohoo999

BG2000 wrote:

They're very very rare in this size in the UK.

So rare that CRC are selling all versions of the Thomson Elite in 30.0mm for £50.95!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=6066

I know what you mean though, certainly rare in the 2nd hand market, but i'm trying to build up completely new (other than forks I reckon). Thanks for the offer though, it's appreciated!

yoohoo999

woop woop!!!

Just bought a CCDB with ti spring!! Holy Moly!!! This is gonna be an insane build

BG2000

It's the layback version I'm talking about, not the inline version.

Thomson only started manufacturing them last year, and I don't think the UK distributors have taken many in.

yoohoo999

not sure i'm going to need a layback. I rode a medium Shocker in January with an inline and it felt fine.

The seatpost was going to be my last purchase so I could get a feel for the cockpit length first.

I see Rutland sell them though http://www.rutlandcycling.com/24140/Thomson-Elite-Seatpost-Setback-30-0mm-Diameter-.html

There's a hell of a seat angle on the Shocker, so it might be unnecessary, but if I do need one I'll let you know

Thanks

BG2000

Rutland are the only people listing it for some reason ? Maybe they have lots of Cove customers ?

You're right your seat angle is pretty slack, and one problem with Thomson laybacks is that the head is the same as their inline 'posts so when they put a bend in the post to create the layback models, the head ends up leaning backwards. So to get a horizontal saddle on a relaxed angle MTB requires the 'post head being set near it's limit, i.e. the front screw all the way in and the rear screw not screwed in that much. It's a design issue that's been commented on in the past, and Thomson needs to consider machining the head after kinking the post (who the hell am I to tell Thomson how to do their job you may well ask !!) :roll:

Richie63

Ah a lovely looking thing is coming together.

That is one heck of a shock for that Shocker you've got there.
I hope that's not your address on the box.

How about meeting up at Wharncliffe some time if you do live in leeds?

yoohoo999

Nah, it's the address of where I got the frame sent to. I wasn't in the country when it was due to be delivered so I had it delivered to a friend's work.

Aye, wharncliffe sounds like an ideal testing ground once it's finished :twisted:

Richie63

Yes Wharncliffe is as good a place as any locally ( I assume you are in the Leeds area ) I've been testing the Herb up there on my days off - though it has been quite wet and slippery under tyre.

I'll keep an eye on your build for when it's due to be completed.

jay12

damn you yoohoo, your making me want to get a fr/dh frame more and more :twisted:

yoohoo999

jay12 wrote:

damn you yoohoo, your making me want to get a fr/dh frame more and more :twisted:

Do it!!

Out of all the bikes I've built in the last few years, this one is making me the most excited, I can't wait to tear it about.

I still need some forks though. STILL can't decide between 40's or Boxxer Teams.

yoohoo999

Some excellent progress tonight......

I was told by BETD (and read a fair bit online) that I would need to get the spacers specially machined for my CCDB/frame since it's a non standard size.

However, I did a bit of measuring and it looked like the spacers and steel strengthening rod that was on the fitted DHX 5.0 was roughly the same size.

Problem was that all the spacers and metal rod in the DHX 5.0 were absolutely JAMMED in. And obviously, spacers are soft aluminium (easily damaged) and the steel rod wouldn't work at any damage.

Soooo....... I called a very friendly chap called Andy (a mobile bike mechanic who comes to your house/work) to ask if he could come to my house and press a couple of headset cups for me, and have a bash at getting the spacers and rods out cleanly.

After devising some very creative methods, he managed to get all of the fitting kit out cleanly and surprise, surprise, BETD were talking crap and the CCDB is now sitting looking pretty on my frame without the need for waiting 2 weeks and forking out £41 for "specially machined" parts

So i'm ready to rock and roll now, not much more to pick up before it's ready to be built.

I've just about committed to some lovely 40's which, all going well, will be picked up on Sunday :twisted:


I can't recommend Andy enough for jobs that you don't have the tools/expertise/time for.

So, a helpful plug:


The Bike Doctor, Leeds

http://www.bikedoctorleeds.co.uk

yoohoo999

Woop Woop!

Fox 40's have arrived.

I'm away for the weekend, but all I have to order now (which sorts out my Monday morning CRC fix!):

Saint rear mech
Saint RH shifter
Renthal Fat Bars (10mm rise)
Direct mount stem (not sure what one yet? Hope direct mount or the full crown + stem?)
Superstar grips + some Nano pedals.
Thomson Elite seatpost
Saddle (SDG Bel Air?)

yoohoo999

Just bought:

Saint Short Cage Rear Mech
Saint RH Shifter
Thomson Elite Seatpost
SDG Bel Air ti Saddle
Renthal Fat Bars (20mm rise)
Sunline Direct Mount Stem

Just need grips and pedals now.......don't know what colours to get!!!!! :roll:





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yoohoo999

right, all the parts are now in and I started the build last night, should be done in the next couple of days

Full spec list is in the first post.

It's looking freaking awesome and I can't wait to finish it and finally ride the beast!

Colour scheme might be a bit of a "shock" for some, but I love it.

The weight has also been the most surprising, I've managed to keep it around the 40lbs mark, which is impressive considering it's a 13lbs frame!

As for cost....... :roll: Pah, this is what bonuses were designed for!! 8) It was a rather amusing conversation on the phone to my new home contents insurers though.

toby_winkler

Can't wait to see this built now, sure is going to be an absolute beast!

Also intrigued by the colour scheme, is it mainly white? or is there a splash of another colour in there?

yoohoo999

forks and frame are white......then there are some "accents" of colour elsewhere

toby_winkler

Ooooh the suspense of waiting to find out

yoohoo999

all done, initial pics are up

Went out for a run today, will do a mini review later (let's just say it ranges from good to "OMG")

post 1 has been updated

The Northern Monkey

Zomg.... THAT is a gorgeous bike.

Hope she serves you well!

getonyourbike

it looks awesome, well done on a great build.